Songpa-gu Pungnap-dong Area Transforms into a Historic Cultural City Coexisting with Cultural Heritage and Residents

Installation of Flowerpots Using Waste Tires in Illegal Dumping Areas... Improving Environment and COVID-19 Psychological Quarantine at Once

Recycled Flower Pot Made from Used Tires

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Songpa-gu (Mayor Seongsoo Park) is transforming the Pungnap-dong area into a historic cultural city where cultural heritage and residents coexist, in collaboration with the Pungnap Social Welfare Center.

As multiple locations in Pungnap-dong were designated as the Pungnap Earthen Fortress historic site, the number of vacant houses with completed compensation and cleared vacant lots has increased. However, concerns have also risen regarding these dark alleys becoming high-crime areas and illegal dumping of garbage.

In response, Songpa-gu launched the "Making Our Village a Better Place to Live" project in August, working together with residents to improve the neighborhood.

The primary goal is to transform the alleys into a beautiful cultural village imbued with Baekje culture through clean streets.

In habitual illegal dumping areas, recycled flower pots made from used tires designed with the district’s new character, ‘Songsong Papa,’ were installed.

The effects appeared immediately. Illegal dumping decreased, and the atmosphere of the alleys changed, with many residents expressing satisfaction.

Additionally, residents and public officials patrol the alleys together to identify areas for improvement and regularly conduct environmental beautification.

In particular, after installing tire flower pots near the office of the Pungnap Traditional Market Merchants Association, the village atmosphere brightened and illegal dumping decreased. Residents responded positively, overcoming the depression caused by COVID-19.

Seongsoo Park, Mayor of Songpa-gu, stated, “Simply imposing fines for illegal dumping cannot fundamentally solve the problem. Alongside the ongoing urban regeneration and comprehensive maintenance projects in Pungnap-dong, we will do our best to create a beautiful cultural self-sustaining village where residents actively participate.”

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.